Late Goals by Kim Young-gwon and Oh Hyun-kyu Canceled by Video Review
Hwang In-beom's Goal and Lee Kang-in's Brilliant Moves Open Up Attacking Opportunities
The South Korean national football team suffered a disappointing defeat against Uruguay in their second match under head coach J?rgen Klinsmann.
Klinsmann's team lost 1-2 in the friendly match held on the 28th at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Although three goals were scored in the second half, two of them were canceled after video review, resulting in a regrettable loss.
Since its launch, Klinsmann's team has finished two friendlies with 1 draw and 1 loss. Earlier, in their debut match against Colombia at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium on the 24th, they recorded a 2-2 draw.
Lee Kang-in is attempting a shot during the friendly match between Korea and Uruguay held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News
Unlike the match against Colombia, Klinsmann adjusted the starting lineup to assess the players' abilities. Hwang Ui-jo started as the forward instead of Cho Gue-sung, who played in the Colombia match. Son Heung-min, Lee Jae-sung, and Lee Kang-in took the midfield roles. Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung started consecutively following the Colombia match, while Lee Kang-in made his first start under Klinsmann. In the previous match against Colombia, Jung Woo-young was responsible for the midfield alongside Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung.
Uruguay was in the same Group H as South Korea in the 2022 Qatar World Cup group stage four months ago. In their first group match, South Korea and Uruguay drew 0-0. Ultimately, South Korea advanced to the round of 16 as the second in the group, while Uruguay was eliminated as the third.
Uruguay, seemingly eager to wash away the frustration of their group stage elimination, pressed aggressively from the start and eventually scored the opening goal. In the 10th minute of the first half, Sebasti?n Coates connected a header from a corner kick to score the first goal. The national team, struggling early on, showed signs of offensive revival after the mid-first half, especially with Lee Kang-in’s brilliant movements.
At the 25th minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in dribbled past the opponent’s defense at the right corner of the penalty area and took a curling left-footed shot, but it was unfortunately caught by the opposing goalkeeper. At the 38th minute, Lee Kang-in delivered a sharp cross from the right. His cross slightly passed over Hwang Ui-jo’s head, but Lee Ki-je, running from behind, connected a powerful shot. Lee Ki-je’s shot narrowly missed the right goalpost, sending chills through Colombia’s defense. The national team launched a fierce offensive at the end of the first half but ultimately failed to score an equalizer.
The national team tied the game 1-1 in the 6th minute of the second half with a goal by Hwang In-beom. After Lee Jae-sung broke through on the left and delivered a cross that deflected off the opponent’s defense, Lee Ki-je passed the ball to the center of the penalty box, where Hwang In-beom immediately shot and scored the equalizer.
Korea national team player Oh Hyun-kyu is disappointed after losing 1-2 in the friendly match against Uruguay held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 28th. [Photo by Yonhap News]
However, in the 18th minute of the second half, a free kick conceded in a dangerous area led to a goal, putting the national team behind 1-2 again.
In response, the national team pushed forward, and in the 27th minute of the second half, Kim Young-gwon headed the ball into the opponent’s net after a corner kick scramble and a contest with the opposing goalkeeper. However, after a lengthy video review, it was determined that Kim Young-gwon committed a foul against the goalkeeper, and the goal was canceled.
In the 35th minute of the second half, Oh Hyun-kyu scored again. Receiving a pass from Lee Kang-in with his back to the opponent’s defense in the center of the penalty box, Oh Hyun-kyu executed a right-footed turning shot and scored a picturesque goal. However, this goal was also canceled after video review, as Oh Hyun-kyu was ruled offside. Ultimately, despite dominating the second half, the national team was left to swallow their frustration due to a series of unfortunate events.
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